Oral health over the holidays

Julie Deverick emphasises the importance of patients maintaining their oral health over the festive period.

When it comes to the month of December, you naturally think about the approaching festivities. It’s the time of year when people start frantically shopping for gifts, arranging events and meeting up with family and friends. But this year it is likely to be different.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is now used to following government guidelines and adhering to restrictions. Social distancing, wearing face coverings and gathering in small groups have become part of the “new normal”. But after such a challenging year there is the risk that some people may develop a devil-may-care attitude and throw all caution to the wind during the festive season. This includes their approach to oral hygiene.

Most of us indulge in more food and drink at this time of year and for many people, oral hygiene often takes a back seat. Yet after enduring the long days of lockdown and strange experiences such as working alone or being separated from loved ones; people are even more likely to forget all about their health. As a result, dental professionals need to really drive home the message this year to prevent patients from neglecting their oral health.